Sunday Ministry Recap (Mar. 4)

Scripture Focus:

Genesis 18 - Angelic Visitors; Abraham's Intercession

Key Thoughts Shared by Various Brothers:

Qualities of Abraham's character: (1) He was conscious of God ... when God came Abraham recognized Him for who He was. (2) He faithfully taught his children and his household. (3) He was humble ... humility and meekness are not incompatible with being a strong father. (4) He was a worshipper ... bowed before the Lord. (5) He was an intercessor ... as priests we can have the same boldness that Abraham did to look God in the eye and plead for others ... "come boldly to the throne of grace."

"Therefore are ye come to your servant" (18:5). We ought to view those whom God brings into our lives (either "chance" meetings out in the world or our relationships in the home and church) as having been put there for the purpose that we might be a blessing and refreshment to them.

"Shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?" (18:12). When the Holy Spirit cites this incident in 1 Peter 3:6, he mercifully reaches into this sordid scene of unbelief and dissimulation on Sarah's part and makes note of the one thing praiseworthy ... that in the midst of her unbelieving words she refers to her husband with respect and honor. This ought to give us hope and comfort about standing before the judgment seat of Christ. We need to similarly look for things to praise about our children, our spouse, our brothers and sisters in the assembly ... and focus on those things.

"Then Sarah denied ... for she was afraid" (18:15). Fear makes it difficult to be honest about ourselves. We all need people in our lives that we can be accountable to and honest with concerning our failures.

Lord supper meditation: The "new covenant in my blood" ... a comparison between the new covenant and a legally valid will (Heb. 9:15-22).

Next week: Genesis 19.